Founded in San Francisco in 2010, Sweet Maple is a popular brunch spot that recently expanded to University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. The exquisite eatery is popular for its high-quality food and service, as well as its broad menu of Asian-influenced traditional American cuisine. I wanted to find out whether Sweet Maple was worth the hype, so I went on a mission to find the best dishes on the menu.
Sweet Maple seems like a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant at first glance, but upon further inspection, its interior is quite large and beautifully decorated with warm lighting. The seating system flows nicely, creating an enjoyable ambiance. The restaurant also offers outdoor seating with heaters, perfect for brunch on a crowded rainy day.
Matcha Moffle ($16): 9/10
The first dish I got was the Matcha Moffle, which was highly recommended by servers and definitely lived up to its reputation. The waffle paired with the matcha “lava”–which is more like a matcha whipped cream–paired well with the fresh, tart strawberries that garnished the dish. The matcha flavor was not too overpowering and was at the perfect level of sweetness for those who crave more sugary breakfasts.
Blueberry Moffle ($16): 7/10
Similar to the matcha waffle, the Blueberry Moffle is a blueberry-flavored mochi waffle that comes with a blueberry glaze, whipped cream, and fresh blueberries. While the actual waffle did not taste too much like blueberries, the blueberry lava was a nice addition that amped up the flavor. The only complaint I have is the chewiness of the moffle: despite both being mochi waffles, the blueberry moffles were much chewier than the matcha ones.
Chicken Croffle ($21): 10/10
The Chicken Croffle was by far my favorite dish from Sweet Maple. While the chicken and waffle combination is quite well known, this unique spin on this dish was incredible. The buttery croissant waffle perfectly complemented the crispiness of the chicken, and the syrup drizzle on top was an unexpected yet tasty addition. Despite being one of the more expensive dishes I ordered, you definitely get what you paid for. In addition to the two croffles, the dish also comes with two to three pieces of chicken, fresh fruit, and a side of syrup.
Tornado Galbi Omurice ($23): 7/10
The Tornado Galbi Omurice might be a bit too heavy for a brunch meal, but nonetheless, it was exploding with flavor. The accompanying demi glaze was very rich and exemplified the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The beef was tender and flavorful. A noticeable negative to this dish, however, was the lack of flavor in the eggs. Despite being marketed as an egg dish, it was easily overpowered by the other flavors and components of the meal.
Sweet Maple is definitely worth your time and appetite. Even though it is one of the more pricey local brunch spots, the restaurant ensures you get the most bang for your buck, providing delicious food and a welcoming environment for brunch with friends and family.
